OF THE PAMPAS. 



9 



complaining of rheumatism, or being at all subject 

 to cold ; and they certainly have the appearance of 

 being rather more robust and healthy than those 

 who live in the drier regions. However, the whole 

 of the Pampas may be said to enjoy as beautiful 

 and as salubrious an atmosphere as the most 

 healthy parts of Greece and Italy, and without 

 being subject to malaria. 



The only irregularity in the climate is the pam- 

 pero or south-vvest wind, which, generated by the 

 cold air of the Andes, rushes over these vast plains 

 with a velocity and a violence which it is almost 

 impossible to withstand. But this rapid circulation 

 of the atmosphere has very beneficial effects, and 

 the weather, after one of these tempests, is always 

 particularly healthy and agreeable. 



The south part of the Pampas is inhabited by 

 the Pampas Indians, who have no fixed abode, but 

 wander from place to place as the herbage around 

 them becomes consumed by their cattle. The 

 north part of the Pampas, and the rest of the Pro- 

 vinces of the Rio de la Plata, are inhabited by a 

 few straggling individuals, and a few small groups 

 of people, who live together only because they were 



